Lashing Fred – Biker’s Review EP
Debut EP by a French pop-punk band
“We are Lashing Fred, a 3-piece French punk band from Lyon.” That introduction had me intrigued—Lyon has been producing an endless stream of incredible bands lately, so I eagerly clicked the Bandcamp link to see what they were about. Sadly, my excitement was short-lived. Lashing Fred turned out to be a generic pop-punk band, desperately trying to recreate the heyday of the genre when it was everywhere in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Pop-punk has certainly seen a revival in recent years, but Lashing Fred’s music feels like a clone of a clone, lacking originality and offering little more than recycled tropes from some of the most generic acts in the scene. That said, the production on their 5-song EP is solid—they clearly achieved the polished, radio-ready sound they were aiming for. The vocals are particularly notable in that they sound remarkably American for a French band; you’d be hard-pressed to detect even a trace of a French accent.
What’s disappointing, though, is the lack of lyrics on their Bandcamp page. Sure, they sing in English, and it’s easy enough to catch their sugarcoated, pop-punk messaging just by listening. But it’s a missed opportunity to connect with their audience more deeply, and not uploading lyrics feels lazy, especially for a genre where sing-along choruses and relatable themes are so integral.
Honestly, I can’t recommend this EP unless you’re a 14-year-old just discovering pop-punk or someone whose guilty pleasure involves spinning Less Than Jake and NOFX to relive your youth. For me, I’d rather shake my head and tap my feet to Blink-182’s Dude Ranch if I’m in the mood for nostalgia. Lashing Fred’s effort might appeal to some kids, but for me it doesn’t bring anything new or memorable to the table.
